Calamagrostis foliosa (Mendocino Reed Grass) - A beautiful cool-season native California bunchgrass that comes from the northern California coast. It grows to only about 1 foot tall by nearly 2 feet wide with arching blue-green foliage that often has purple highlights. In mid spring through early summer appear the attractive short arching silvery- purple heads of flowers that age to a golden wheat color and attractive on into fall. Plant along the coast in full sun or light shade inland in a well-drained soil. Tolerates drier conditions to the north and when grown in shade but looks best with occasional to regular irrigation and requires this in southern California where it always seems less happy. Cold hardy to Hardy to 10F. It tolerates near seashore wind and salt spray and is resistant to predation by herbivores. A great plant as a small specimen or mass planting or scattered through a natural meadow planting . It is generally is considered short lived and plantings may need to be renovated every three to seven years but can be kept more attractive by a dragging a hard bow rake through the clumps to remove old thatch or by dividing and replanting new plants in later winter or early spring - do not chop back this plant as it does not respond well to this treatment. To renovated plantings consider cleaning up and dividing existing clumps in late winter or spring while plants are actively growing. This plant is native to Del Norte, Mendocino and Humboldt counties (possibly in Sonoma and Siskiyou) where it grows on headlands and sea bluffs in coastal scrub plant and inland in coastal conifer forests from sea level to about 4,000 feet. It is listed by the State of California as Rare (CNPS 4.2). Other common names included Cape Mendocino Reed Grass and Leafy Reed-grass. We first got this beautiful grass in 1990 from Native Sons Nursery in Arroyo Grande, California and have grown it since 1992.
This description is based on our research and observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We will also incorporate comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have some additional information about this plant, in particular if this information is contrary to what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Calamagrostis foliosa.